Before I left town, I stopped off at the bank. I thought I recognized the teller as a lady that had gone to Lambuth when I was there. I decided that it was not her and that it could possibly be her mom or a much older sister. Definitely not someone my age. When she… Continue reading Graceland 2012
Author: elvisgumby
Graceland 2011 or Old Women Falling Down
This was the tenth consecutive year that I have gone to the candlelight vigil at Graceland. You might think that I have some sort of ritual that I go through before I leave, but it really varies from year to year. There have been years when it was vital that I purchase tires before I… Continue reading Graceland 2011 or Old Women Falling Down
2010 Graceland Trip
“Oh! This is nice! Louie!!” She looked around the store with a dead look on her face. Finally Louie shows up and she shows him the life size cardboard cutout of Elvis. “Wouldn’t this look nice in our living room?” Louie replied “actually it wouldn’t.” It was a rare moment of honesty that you don’t… Continue reading 2010 Graceland Trip
2009 Elvis Week Observations
When you’ve been to Graceland for the candlelight vigil 6 years in a row, you don’t expect trip number 7 to have any firsts. You think you’ve seen it all. This one had several firsts. Here is a list: First time to write my name on the wall. First time to go on the trip… Continue reading 2009 Elvis Week Observations
2007 Elvis Week Essay
“Hi! This is Art Wheeler. I will be out of the office on August 15th and 16th in observance of the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Thank you very much.”
2006 Candlelight Vigil Observations
As I prepare for my annual trip to Graceland, I looked through some old stuff. Here are some notes on my annual Graceland trip I forwarded to friends back in 2006. You no longer have to pay to park in the official Graceland parking lot. The Graceland Crossing souvenir mall is now called “Elvis After… Continue reading 2006 Candlelight Vigil Observations
Vacation Music
When I was a kid, my family would take vacations to Panama City Beach. I think it was right before the second trip that our family bought a new station wagon. This vehicle featured an 8-track tape player, something that our family never had before in the house or in a car. For what I… Continue reading Vacation Music
Six Minutes After Seven – The Video
In the liner notes for my new CD, I make the following statement about the title track: “Six Minutes After Seven draws from the apocalyptic images in the Book of Revelation.” I think the idea for the song is best illustrated in the lyrics of the fourth verse: “The scroll will lose the seventh seal The… Continue reading Six Minutes After Seven – The Video
Arranging The Promised Land
In an earlier post, I talked about writing and recording both versions of The Promised Land. I wanted to do a black gospel choir arrangement for the background vocals. Most people who know me know that I play music primarily by ear. I can read music, but I’m not very good at it. Practically all of the… Continue reading Arranging The Promised Land
Peoria
I was on my first trip to Peoria. I woke up and was getting ready to leave to come back home. I was in the process of getting cleaned up and ready to leave the hotel. At one point, I have used the toilet and it overflowed. Not a big mess, but there was lots… Continue reading Peoria